Nuneaton and Bedworth

Nuneaton and Bedworth's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. At the same time there were changes in religion, marriage and housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 130,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Nuneaton and Bedworth increased by 5.1%, from about 119,000 to 125,000.

The addition of about 6,100 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Nuneaton and Bedworth was home to, on average, 11 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Nuneaton and Bedworth

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Nuneaton and Bedworth increased by two years, from 38 to 40 years.

This urban area had a slightly higher average age than the West Midlands and remained slightly older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 3,600 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 3,000.

About 12% of people in Nuneaton and Bedworth are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Nuneaton and Bedworth by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in Nuneaton and Bedworth

The number of people in Nuneaton and Bedworth that described themselves as having no religion increased from just under 14,000 in 2001 to about 30,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 12% to 24% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the West Midlands (from 12% to 22%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Nuneaton and Bedworth that described themselves as Christian decreased from about 92,000 in 2001 to about 80,000 in 2011 (from 77% to 64%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from just under 8,800 to just under 7,600 (from 7.4% to 6.1%).

About 2,900 people (1.6%) said they were Muslim, up from about 1,900 in 2001 (2.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Nuneaton and Bedworth increased by 12 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Nuneaton and Bedworth by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

Nuneaton and Bedworth saw the West Midlands' third-largest fall in the proportion of married people.

In 2011, just under one in two (50%) people aged 16 and over in Nuneaton and Bedworth said they were married, compared with 56% in 2001. The percentage that said they were single increased from 25% to 31%.

Across the region, only Worcester (from 51% to 45%) and Cannock Chase (from 56% to 50%) saw a greater decrease in the proportion of married people.

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a fall in the proportion of married people, as the regional average fell from 52% to 48%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in Nuneaton and Bedworth

The percentage of Nuneaton and Bedworth residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 89% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 1 in 20 (4.5%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 3.8% in 2001. The percentage of Nuneaton and Bedworth residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.3% to 6.8%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 89% in 2001 to 89% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 90% to 90%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Nuneaton and Bedworth, but at a slower rate than in nearby Coventry.

In Nuneaton and Bedworth, the proportion of private renting increased from 5.7% in 2001 to 13% in 2011. During the same period, the

Across the West Midlands, the share of privately rented homes increased from 7.3% to 14%.

The rate of social housing in Nuneaton and Bedworth fell from 15% to 14%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 77% to 71%.

Private renting in Nuneaton and Bedworth increased by 6.9 percentage points

Percentage of households in Nuneaton and Bedworth, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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